Producers and others with a vested interest in the U.S. cotton industry are invited to attend the world’s annual premier cotton information forum – the Beltwide Cotton Conferences – on Jan. 5-8 at the Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX.

MEMPHIS - Producers and others with a vested interest in the U.S. cotton industry are invited to attend the world’s annual premier cotton information forum – the Beltwide Cotton Conferences – on Jan. 5-8 at the Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

The meetings are coordinated by the Memphis-based National Cotton Council of America. Attendance in recent years has been more than 3,000.

Following a half-day Cotton Consultants Conference on January 5, the Beltwide Cotton Production Conference general session will open on January 6 with an industry update from NCC Chairman Larry McClendon, a Marianna, Ark., cotton producer/ginner. Among other reports that morning will be updates by Cotton Incorporated President Berrye Worsham and by Ogilvy Government Relations executive Thomas Hebert who will share his insight into the 2009 farm law’s conservation programs. Among other reports: Gary Taylor, a Tennessee cotton merchant; Gary Adams, NCC’s vice president, Economic & Policy Analysis; Keith Menchey, NCC’s manager, Science and Environmental Issues; Extension cotton specialists panel review of the 2008 cotton season by region; and a panel discussing the evolving pest management landscape and its challenges.

On January 7, a panel moderated by Robstown, Tex., cotton producer Jimmy Dodson will focus on crop rotation’s impact on cotton production. That will be followed by a panel of innovative growers sharing successful production techniques.

The conferences bring together those with a stake in a healthy U.S. cotton production sector, including cotton industry members, university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel, consultants, and service providers, to share timely information. The programming is designed to update U.S. cotton producers on innovative and effective methods for use in the upcoming growing season and help them plan for long-term viability.